Using the proper reagents while handling your oligos will help to avoid contamination and ensure the quality, stability, and performance you need. Nucleases are an important contaminant to consider, as they degrade nucleic acids and may cause experiments to fail. Nucleases are found throughout our natural environment, and since many are used in routine molecular biology applications, they often exist in large in the lab. RNases are difficult to eliminate due to their ubiquitous nature and resistance to heat denaturation. For applications that require manipulation of intact RNA—functional genomics, qPCR, microarrays, etc.—it is extremely important that you protect your oligos from RNases, as contamination will jeopardize your experiments.

Our in-house formulated buffers and solutions allow you to confidently work with your oligos in an environment that is 100% nuclease-free. First use Nuclease Decontamination Solution to eliminate nucleases from your work space, and then resuspend, anneal, or dilute, and store your oligos with our nuclease-free reagents.

IDTE (1X TE solution)

IDTE (10 mM Tris, 0.1 mM EDTA) is our recommended solution for resuspending and storing single-stranded DNA and RNA oligos. It offers the most stability for the longest duration when compared to oligos stored dry or in water. IDTE is available at pH 7.5 or pH 8.0.

Nuclease-Free Duplex Buffer

Nuclease-Free Duplex Buffer (30 mM HEPES, pH 7.5; 100 mM potassium acetate) is our recommended buffer for storage of duplexed oligos. Like IDTE, it offers the most stability for the longest duration when compared to duplexed oligos stored dry or in water.

Nuclease-Free Water

We do not recommend long-term storage of oligos in water, as this can increase the risk of oligo degradation. However, Nuclease-Free Water is convenient for quick dilutions of storage stocks, or for especially short-term storage. For more information on various storage media and their effects on oligo stability, click here.